TAYLOR- Summer 2009 by Taylor University

synergy

Overcomer

A Cheerful Giver

Into the Chasm

aspirations

Acts 2:3-4 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit ...

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:14 Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faults and failures.

Mother Teresa Hard work and togetherness. They go hand in hand.You need the hard work because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a tough atmosphere... to win week in and week out.You need togetherness because you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always win, and you gotta hang tough together.

Tony Dungy

summer 2009 • volume 101

20 For Him we play to win

Thirty-eight years after the program’s beginning, Taylor’s volleyball Trojans are the gold standard for NAIA volleyball.

24 Overcomer

Whitney Cerak ’09 relied on God’s grace and the Taylor community to recover from life-threatening injuries and graduate on time.

28 A cheerful giver Arthur Hodson x’36 had no children of his own – so he

became a benefactor to thousands of college students.

32 Into the chasm A radio executive and youth pastor have created an online

haven for teens facing unprecedented cultural challenges.

Departments & Columns 2 4 5 12 14 16 36 38 48

Perspectives Backstage In the loop Athletics The village border Advancement Vista Alumni notes From the president

President Eugene B. Habecker ’68 Vice President for University Advancement Ben R. Sells Associate Vice President for University Relations and Marketing Joyce A. Wood ’81

Editor James R. Garringer Director of Graphic Design and Photography Adam Perry Director of Communications and Marketing Benjamin Wehling Alumni Notes Editor Marty Songer ’78 Contributors: A&M Photography, Rukshan Fernando ’98, Stephanie Leis ’09, Tim Lofton ’06, Christine Sullivan ’09, Lynda Swantner

Taylor: A Magazine for Taylor University® Alumni, Parents and Friends (ISSN 1073-4376) is published by the office of university relations. Copyright © 2009 Taylor University®. Photo on page 14 ©David Chadwick/istockphoto Photo on page 48 ©moodboard Photography\Veer E-mail: magazine@taylor.edu Taylor University online: www.taylor.edu

I have seen our students as they have become convicted by God’s commitment to justice for the poor and oppressed. I see their desire to work alongside Christ to rebuild shalom and wholeness on earth as it is in heaven. Rukshan Fernando Spiritual and social redemption P. 15 I’m excited to see what the Lord brings. Because I graduated from Taylor what else is going to happen? Because I came through this, almost anything can happen. Whitney Cerak Overcomer P. 24

Send address corrections and mailing updates to: Office of Alumni Relations, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989, or call (800) 882-3456, ext. 5115. E-mail: shcampbel@taylor.edu Opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Taylor University®. Founded in 1846, Taylor University is one of America’s oldest Christian liberal arts colleges. Over 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students from 46 states and 24 foreign countries attend Taylor, where majors in 50 fields of study are available. The University is ranked the number one Midwest Baccalaureate college in the 2009 U.S. News & World Report survey America’s Best Colleges.

We had to drop the evangelical facade. We call ourselves missionaries living our lives. Clinton Faupel Into the chasm P. 32

backstage

The consuming fire There is a reason that throughout scripture God has revealed Himself through fire. From the dawn of time people have been drawn to fire’s glow for worship, the breaking of bread or to merely sit transfixed by its beauty and power. Fire cleanses, illuminates, consumes, renews and joins together. It was with a pillar of fire that God led the Israelites toward the Promised Land. It was by fire that He accepted sacrifices from His people. It was over a fire that the newly-resurrected Jesus cooked some fish and invited his disciples to breakfast. And it was through tongues of fire that the Holy Spirit was manifested upon the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. The Pentecost flames – an external evidence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling – did not consume the apostles’ flesh. They consumed their souls. And as a result, those newly-empowered believers left that place to turn the world upside down. The movement grew from just a few to a mighty movement as each of Christ’s followers, led by the Holy Spirit, used their individual gifts and callings in concert other believers. They grew in their faith, lived their lives together and experienced a kind of synergos or synergy – that state that occurs when everyone and everything work together to achieve results far greater than any one person could on his or her own. That movement continues at Taylor University in 2009. As Whitney Cerak ’09 recovered from injuries that nearly claimed her life three years ago, she was enveloped by professors, hundreds of students and thousands of alumni from the Taylor community whose hearts were moved by her story. Student athletes in Taylor’s volleyball and baseball programs have accomplished far more than they could ever have imagined because their individual gifts and efforts were channeled into a single goal of not just winning, but honoring the Lord. Beyond school records, they have experienced life-changing fellowship. We share those stories in this issue of Taylor along with others such as Art Hodson’s passion for Christcentered higher education, a new internet outreach to youth that counters the corrosive impact of our culture, and many others that demonstrate God at work in the lives of His people. The fire of Pentecost has burned for 20 centuries in the minds and hearts of God’s sons and daughters. May we each be consumed and empowered as we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

James R. Garringer Editor

in the loop

Brain powered

TU shines in academic competitions

hey don’t compete in front of crowds of cheering fans, there are no uniforms, and they don’t always get their names in the newspaper when they win. But teams of Taylor University students rely on brains rather than brawn as they place among the best in the nation in academic competitions. Physics students and faculty partnered with their Boston University counterparts to design a satellite for national competition. Mathematics students won a state championship and placed highly in a regional competition. Taylor students advanced to the nationals of Ethics Bowl for the fourth time in seven years. Computer programming students finished 10th in the ACM Regional Programming Competition – an international event sponsored by IBM. Additionally, students from Taylor’s environmental sciences, SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) program, the media communication program and The Echo all won awards in or competed in intercollegiate competitions. And it was not against Christian colleges only. During the past year, Taylor teams faced schools including Indiana and Purdue Universities, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western Reserve and the University of Colorado. “What is gratifying to me is that the schools we compete against, and do very well in competition with, are often known as national and international universities,” said Dr. Mark Biermann, dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. “Even though they have these reputations our students do very well in the competitions and perform at a level with these other institutions.” While Taylor students’ faith perspective would not have an impact per se in a number of the competitions, Ethics Bowl – where student teams argue cases from reproductive rights to personal conduct and integrity – presents a special challenge. Taylor’s team members’ respective worldviews may have biblical foundations, but the competition’s secular format excludes arguments from the Bible. “We went into the cases with a Judeo-Christian worldview of ethical and moral principles and arguments based upon those principles. Other schools came to similar conclusions and used similar ethical principles – maybe with different titles – but we came to similar conclusions,” said Kyle Holloway ’09. “The principles that we use to debate ethical dilemmas are grounded in truth that comes from God and is found in the Bible.” “The primary value I see in these types of events is that it gives the students a clear goal to focus on. It allows them to hone their skills in a particular discipline to a sharper and higher level than they would have been otherwise,” said Biermann. “It also gives some external validation to the quality of academics we have at Taylor. We know we have high-caliber academics, but it gives our students a chance to show that to the wider community.”

in the loop

Becky Chow delivers her Commencement address.

Prepared for service

he Kesler Student Activities Center field house provided the backdrop as 458 seniors and graduate students received their degrees during Taylor commencement exercises on May 23, 2009. Honorary degrees were awarded to longtime Board of Trustees members G. Roselyn (Baugh ’55) Kerlin and Jerry Horne – as well as the speaker, Roy Peterson, CEO of The Seed Company. Notable among the graduates was Taylor’s 19,000th graduate, Tim McKenna ’09, Crown Point, Ind., and Whitney Cerak ’09, the lone student survivor of the 2006 van accident whose misidentification and recovery sparked international interest. (See P. 24) The Class of ’09 came from 33 states and 11 foreign countries. Eighty students achieved Cum Laude (minimum 3.5 G.P.A.); 93 reached Magna Cum Laude (minimum 3.7 G.P.A.); and 33 attained Summa Cum Laude (minimum 3.9 G.P.A.) honors. Four undergraduate students and one graduate student (MES) earned perfect 4.0 GPAs, including senior class speaker, Rebecca (Becky) Chow ’09. “As I reflect on the past four years, I am amazed at all that God has accomplished in what seemed to be such a short time,” Chow said. “It doesn’t seem too long ago that we began our time at Taylor with the traditional Taylor hoedown and were welcomed into the Taylor community by our PA’s and the people on our wings and floors. We were then shown the depth of this community … when we together 6

experienced the pain and loss of the van accident during the spring of our freshman year.” “My personal experience abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador, has shown me that as we’ve done these things, we’ve learned more about ourselves, grown personally, and gained valuable life lessons in an unforgettable and individual way that has added depth to our character, educational experience, and that will aid us as we continue on into the future,” Chow added. “You have tasted the joy of serving now. You have sensed the satisfaction of God using your life to make a difference and that has imprinted you forever. You will leave Taylor University not settling for anything less. You are going to want to have God use you for the rest of your life. That is the kind of imprint this experience will leave on you and that is very exciting,” said Peterson. “My prayer for you, fellow classmates of 2009, is that the Master himself would be so active … in your life and that you would not stop Him from doing what He wants to do through you and in you.” “My wife and I are so passionate about Taylor University,” said Dr. James Chow, Becky’s father. Dr. Chow and his wife Minda are members of the Taylor Parents Council. “There’s no doubt in my mind that God is at work on this campus, using, molding and transforming our children.”

Featured Commencement speaker Roy Peterson.

Graduating students enter the Kesler Student Activities Center.

Eugene Habecker and Ben Sells congratulate Rosie Kerlin.

in the loop

Christine Sullivan joins fellow graduates in singing The Taylor Song.

Jerry Horne is greeted by Jay Kesler.

ininthe theloop loop

Don Odle

A bagpiper leads the TUFW faculty and students from the Gerig Activities Center for the final time following Commencement on May 23.

Not goodbye but farewell

inety-two graduates received their diplomas during Taylor University Fort Wayne’s (TUFW) final commencement on May 23 – an event that included laughter, tears and reflection before ending with a bagpiper leading the commencement party from the Gerig Activities Center to the tune of Amazing Grace. It was the final official function of the campus, which prior to becoming TUFW was Summit Christian College and Fort Wayne Bible College. A TUFW Heritage Weekend also brought hundreds of alumni and friends to the campus on Rudisill Blvd. for a weekend of worship, prayer and memories. “We did celebrate and were cognizant of the significance of Commencement,” said Dr. Randall Dodge ’81, who chaired the TUFW transition team. “It has been inspiring to see in the lives of many faculty and staff members and their dedication to run the race to the end in ways that have an impact far greater than classroom lectures.”

“The vine only dies if we as alumni stop reaching out to a world that is in need,” said Michael Mortensen ’91, director of Fort Wayne alumni and friend relations, referring to A Vine of God’s Own Planting, written by former FWBC president Jared Gerig. “That is part of the ethos and tradition of Taylor University. It is my hope that Taylor grads will embrace the Fort Wayne alumni and grads and celebrate their heritage and history and ask questions. They have many fond memories of faculty and staff. We have some alumni who have done some tremendous things.” Taylor officials have established an alumni center for Fort Wayne alumni and friends and partnered with Ambassador Family Enterprises LLC of Fort Wayne to determine what they call “the highest and best use” for the buildings and grounds. Several parties have expressed interest in purchasing the campus property.

in the loop

“Promise Keepers” for techies

hey came from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States with two goals: fellowship and a search for new insights into the role computer technology can play in the worldwide spread of the gospel. Taylor hosted more than 100 missionaries, consultants and vendors during the 20th International Conference on Computing and Mission (ICCM), held June 12 – June 16. Known as a “Promise Keepers” for techies, ICCM offered multiple conference tracks and workshops focusing on different aspects and uses of technology. A “sandbox lab” allowed participants to experiment with various operating systems and applications and built-in times of fellowship and worship gave missionaries opportunities to connect and learn from colleagues with similar callings. “The conference exists because it is unique,” said T.R. Knight ’93, director of technology services at Taylor. “There are lots of tech conferences. They all have different focuses – Networld, educollege. com, and E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is the big video game one. They are all huge, expensive and not centric to missions. The main reasons missionaries use tech are for their home office, to communicate with other missionaries and send encrypted communication to closed countries. You get people together that have a like-minded goal.” Consultant and former Taylor vice president Robert D. Hodge brought the unique perspective of tech user and one of the organizers of the first ICCM in 1989 to his keynote address. “Several mission (organizations) had been talking together about computing issues and wanted to engage more missions. TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) and SIM (Serving in Mission) missionaries who had worked with some Taylor computing people asked if Taylor would host a group. They wanted a place that had a lot of computers handy, lots of space to stay and was denominationally neutral,” said Hodge, who served as co-host for the first ICCM in 1989. “While ICCM has been at other locations, the participants have preferred to come back to Taylor.” “This is also a time of refreshment and spiritual rejuvenation,” said Knight. “Tech missionaries are the hardest to get funded. It is hard to know how to pray for them. (ICCM) is focused on spiritual growth of attendees. There are a whole lot of missionaries and a whole lot of non-missionaries – bankers, Web sites that run with missions. Missionaries get to interact. That is really cool.” For more information, visit www.iccm.org.

Missionaries from around the world benefited from an open “sandbox” computer lab during ICCM. 9

in the loop

Faculty accolades Five earn faculty awards; Heavilin retires

During the 2008-2009 academic year, five Taylor faculty members were honored by the University for their scholarship, innovation, leadership and impact. Each was chosen by panels of faculty, alumni and/or past winners. Longtime English department faculty member Dr. Barbara Heavilin retired at the conclusion of the year.

Dr. Daniel King delivers the inaugural Distinguished Faculty Lecture in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. 10

in the loop Dr. Jeff Cramer

Distinguished Professor of the Year Dr. Jeff Cramer ’90 is an associate professor of computer science and engineering. He joined the Taylor faculty in 1998. Before that, Cramer served as an information specialist, researcher and an instructional design consultant. For the past ten years of his career, he has served Taylor University in the areas of computer literacy, information concepts, e-commerce and ethics. Cramer has also traveled with students to Jordan and recently journeyed to Ethiopia to lead education and technology workshops. In addition to his Taylor degree, Cramer earned his M.S. degree from Indiana University (1998) and his Ph.D. from Purdue University (2007). This award is presented by the Taylor University Alumni Association.

Professor Rukshan Fernando Dr. Joe Burnworth Teaching Award

Professor Rukshan Fernando ’98 serves as a faculty member in Taylor’s social work department. He joined the Taylor faculty in 2004. In addition to his course load, Fernando has facilitated service learning partnerships between students and local agencies that have resulted in over $1 million in grants. He provides support to international and American ethnic students and has also served as a Lighthouse team sponsor with his wife, Jody (Wiley ’98). He is a visiting lecturer at Colombo Theological Seminary in his homeland, Sri Lanka. In addition to his Taylor degree, Fernando earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan (2000).

Dr. Daniel King

Distinguished Faculty Award in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences Dr. Daniel King is the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. He was recognized for his study of proteomes and their role in disease diagnosis and lectured on the subject during Heritage Weekend in May. Before coming to Taylor, he taught at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minn. King received his B.S. in chemistry education from Huntington College (1998) and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Georgia (2002).

Professor Thom Satterlee

Franklin W. and Joan M. Forman Distinguished Faculty Scholar Professor Thom Satterlee’s poetry has been nominated for numerous literary prizes including the Pushcart Prize – one of the poetry world’s most prestigious honors. His credits include six books and more than 150 translations of Danish poets. His 2006 book Burning Wyclif won the Walt McDonald First Book prize and earlier this year he was one of 42 poets nationwide to be awarded a $25,000 fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts to assist his work on a book of poetry about the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Before joining the Taylor faculty, Satterlee taught at the State University of New York at Brockport, North West Arkansas Community College and the University of Miami. Satterlee holds degrees from Houghton College (1989), an M.A. from the State University of New York (1994) and an M.F.A. from the University of Arkansas (1998).

Dr. Quinn White

Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award Dr. Quinn White ’87, serves Taylor as an associate professor of education. His citation called White, “a master teacher with a gift for instruction and reaching students’ interests.” It also commended him as, “strong in subject matter, enthusiastic in his calling and energetic in his approach to all educational endeavors.” In addition to his Taylor degree, White earned both an M.A. (1996) and Ph.D. (2005) from The Ohio State University. He joined the Taylor faculty in 1999 following teaching assignments at Wright State University (Celina, Ohio), Van Wert City Schools (Van Wert, Ohio), Wayne Trace Local Schools (Paine, Ohio) and Washington Township Schools (Indianapolis, Ind.).

Dr. Barbara Heavilin Retiree

Dr. Barbara A. Heavilin is retiring after 18 years of serving Taylor University as an associate professor of English. She is well-known for her extensive research on author John Steinbeck, and continues to contribute significantly as an editor on projects such as The Steinbeck Review and books such as John Steinbeck and His Contemporaries. She has authored or edited 18 books and articles exploring various aspects of moral philosophy and unity in Steinbeck’s writing. Heavilin has also collaborated with her husband Charles, a Quaker minister, on scholarly publications and presentations examining Quaker life and thought from colonial times through the present. She holds an A.B. from Marion College (1954), an M.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1967) and a Ph.D. from Ball State University (1984). 11

athletics

Passiales, Rudolph honored

he Taylor athletic department named Paul Passiales ’09 and Paige Rudolph ’09 the Gates-Howard Award and Lady Trojan of the Year winners for the just-completed 2008-09 year. Passiales, a Wheaton, Ill., finance graduate, earned All-MCC and All-American honors in football and baseball. Rudolph, an Evansville, Ind., English education graduate, was a four-year letter winner in women’s basketball. During her career, Rudolph helped the Lady Trojans reach the NAIA national tournament twice and was a member of the team that advanced to the Elite Eight in 2007. This season she was named to the MCC first team, earned accolades as an MCC and NAIA scholarathlete, received an NAIA Champions of Character award and was selected to the NAIA All-American third team. Passiales, who batted .407 for the Trojans, was a key to the baseball team’s ascent to a school record 38 wins and the 2009 MCC championship, setting single season and career hits records. He was a three-time selection to the all-MCC first team. In football, he led the 2008 team in tackles with 66 including 18 tackles for loss. “The coaches were very understanding of my situation, and they always placed academics over athletics, which is very important to me,” Passiales said. “Winning the conference baseball tournament this year was by far my most memorable athletic moment. Celebrating with my teammates on the field along with all the Taylor support we had from our fans is something I will never forget.” “God has blessed me so much, and anything short of my best effort would not bring glory to His name. I owe everything to Him,” Passiales reflected. Rudolph admitted she originally had dreams of playing in the NCAA’s Div. I, but said she was thankful she came to Taylor. “My coaches and teammates here have taught me how to use my passion to reach out to others – holding someone accountable, affirming someone’s value as a person or teammate, focusing the team’s efforts on glorifying God, learning how to serve one another, (and) praying for a teammate.” “I just realized that basketball is not the end, but simply a means to an end,” Rudolph added. “God, in His grace, laid it so heavily upon my heart that I knew I would not be in His will if I went anywhere else.”

Gates-Howard Award winner Paul Passiales hit .407 to lead the Trojans during their record-breaking year.

athletics

Scott Gill displays the form that led to his NAIA national championship in the long jump.

School records shattered; Gill wins national championship Baseball Head coach Kyle Gould ’02 led his squad to a school record 38 wins against 19 losses and the Trojans advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in 40 years after winning the MCC Tournament championship. The Trojans won two games at the tournament, held at Berry College in Rome, Ga., before a seasonending loss to St. Xavier (Ill.). Michael Kraynak ’10 was named MCC Player of the Year and was joined by teammates Paul Passiales ’09 and Ryne Otis ’12 on the All-Conference Team. The trio was also recognized as members of the MCC Gold Glove Team. Men’s track and field Scott Gill ’11 won the NAIA national championship in the long jump with a 24’5” distance. It marked the 14th men’s track and field individual national championship in school history. He was one of 10 Taylor student-athletes who qualified for the national meet, held in Edwardsville, Ill. Taylor was second in the 2009 MCC meet, finishing just four points out of first place. Six Trojans were named to the MCC All-Conference Team.

Women’s track and field Alyssa Johnson ’10 and Andrea Elsman ’10 qualified for the NAIA national championships. Johnson finished fifth in the 1500 meter run, earning All-American honors and breaking her own school record with a time of 4:35.20. Elsman, who holds Taylor’s pole vaulting record, finished 22nd. The women’s track team finished fifth at the MCC championships. Softball The team finished on a high note, winning two MCC tournament games before finishing with an overall record of 18-23 for seventh place in the conference. Lindsey Arnold ’09 and Alyssa Brodbeck ’12 made the All-Tournament team. Golf With only one senior, the Trojans finished eighth at the MCC tournament, paced by Tyler Ramsland ’12 who finished 29th overall. Ryan Johnson ’09, Joshua Gates ’10 and Arne Fahlen ’10 were named NAIA Scholar Athletes. 13

the village border

Spiritual and social redemption

Leading our students on the road to justice and mercy By Rukshan Fernando ’98

he great William Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army once wrote: “It is better to build a fence at the top of a precipice than to rescue a man once he has fallen off.” William and Mary Booth believed that we must mirror Christ’s love by caring for those who experience spiritual dissonance and those with social brokenness – whether they are economic, physical and social. They believed in a strong compassion to London’s poor, marginalized, hungry and oppressed. However, they also knew while helping them physically and socially they needed to exemplify and proclaim the need for Christ. This explains the Army’s dedication to the “soup, soap and salvation” of a person. As a Taylor University faculty member, it is a thrill for me to observe our students’ growing interest in work to redeem both the spiritual and social of this world. I see our students’ eyes light up as they talk about being “wounded healers” to broken systems and structures. I see them working to counteract a multi-layered poverty system in rural Indiana, to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa, to provide justice for those entrapped in human trafficking in Thailand and to develop appropriate technologies for sustainable agriculture in Guatemala. Recent news reports cover the increased interest of younger evangelicals in social action. I have seen our students as they have become convicted by God’s commitment to justice for the poor and oppressed. I see their desire to work alongside Christ to rebuild shalom and wholeness on earth as it is in heaven. Their energetic impatience to reorder and restore this world will hopefully change some of the ways it perceives Western evangelicals. In my roles as a member of the Taylor faculty and as a Christ follower, I believe it is my challenge to steer these energetic young people toward a synergistic understanding of spiritual AND social redemption. This challenge is founded on the value of integrating our biblical faith and learning into the classroom. It connotes connection and wholeness as opposed to dispersion and inconsistency described by the author Robert A. Clark in Teaching as an Act of Faith.

The integration of social and spiritual redemption is a compelling and fascinating mission. It also brings new opportunities for students for whom this integrative process needs to be guided and prepared. It is easy for the Western church to see the spiritual and social as being two separate entities or as one being more important than the other. This type of dualistic thinking is easy because we prefer to fit people and problems into neat categories. But it does not give us the opportunity to experience the tension, balance and paradox we see in God’s word. The classroom is one of the primary places on Taylor’s campus where we can talk about these issues, wrestle with them, get our hands dirty and discover that through this pursuit, God’s beauty and glory emerge. In helping students who plan to work toward change, I see young freshmen come wanting to discuss complex issues of global poverty, political party affiliation and immigration in “black and white” terms. Conversations and questions can allow them to enter into the dialogue. However, as they mature and develop relationships with people who might be different than them, they see the complexities of these issues. This is the beginning of the life-long learning process described in our mission statement. This preparation allows them to be participants in the ongoing conversation because they know who is talking and where the conversation has gone. At Taylor, these conversations are another example of seeing the praxis between our biblical faith, theory and practice. If we fail to show our students their responsibility to join the synergy of social and spiritual redemption, I fear these fellow believers may leave Taylor’s campus with a fragmented and incomplete understanding of the church and Christ’s vision for His followers on earth. Perhaps through this molding process here in Upland, we may be faithful to the words of C.T. Studd who said, “Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible.”

Rukshan Fernando is a 1998 graduate of Taylor University and a faculty member in Taylor’s social work department. He is the recipient of the 2009 Dr. Joe Burnworth Teaching Award.

advancement

Alumni receive new advancement roles

wo alumni who have assisted Taylor’s University Advancement office in winning CASE awards and reaching unprecedented goals have received promotions. Michael Falder ’94 has been named director of Planned Giving and Matt Gin ’05, MAHE ’09 has been named director of the Taylor Fund. Falder served from 2007-2009 as director of the Taylor Fund, leading it to record levels – raising nearly $3.8 million over two years and resulting in its recognition as one of the three best annual funds among all colleges and universities in the Midwest by the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education (CASE) Region V. Prior to joining the Taylor advancement staff, Falder served for 10 years as executive director of Central Michigan Youth For Christ. He and his wife Traci (Tiberi ‘96) are the parents of two children: Jonah (age 5) and Lydia (age 2). Gin began working with the advancement team as a student, when he completed internships at Taylor as Student Ambassador coordinator and at John Brown University as advancement intern. Since graduating, he has served as the assistant director of the Taylor Fund and as Phonathon coordinator. He was part of the Advancement team that won Case V awards in 2007 and 2008 for Best Program in Annual Giving and Best Practices in Fundraising and Development. In his new role Gin will develop, refine and implement strategies with the purpose of achieving the 2009-10 Taylor Fund goal, which will exceed $2 million. Gin and his wife, Miriam (White ’06), are graduates of Taylor’s Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) program and are parents of Hezekiah, born March 20.

Michael Falder

Matt Gin

New York City With a Purpose November 5-8, 2009 Join Marylou (Napolitano ’68) Habecker, Sherri Harter and Joyce Helyer for this special experience. Taylor University’s third New York City tour for women includes four days of fellowship, sightseeing and experiencing the life of one of America’s favorite cities. For more information, visit www.taylor.edu/nyc or contact Joyce Helyer at 765-997-3025 or jyhelyer@taylor.edu. We look forward to hosting you!

advancement

Answer: Because we have never been asked. Question: Why haven’t we included Taylor in our estate plans? We are asking. Would you please consider including Taylor University in your estate plans? We invite you to join the Bishop William Taylor Society (BWTS), which honors those who have included Taylor in their will/trust, as a beneficiary of a retirement plan/life insurance policy, or by establishing a gift that will provide an income for the rest of your life. All BWTS members are invited to a reception at the President’s home during Homecoming, Saturday, October 17, at 4:00 pm. Contact Michael Falder, director of Planned Giving, at mcfalder@taylor.edu or call 800-8823456, ext. 5538.

Taylor Fund exceeds goal The Taylor Fund has established a new school record for the fourth straight year. Gifts to the 2008-09 Taylor Fund topped $1.98 million, marking an increase of 5.3% from last year’s record. Originated more than 100 years ago as the Samuel Morris Faith Fund, the Taylor Fund benefits students through student programs, scholarships and other means and serves as a bridge between the cost of a Taylor University education and what a student actually pays. It comprises nearly 4% of the annual operating budget. “We know from surveys that the number one motivator is the Taylor experience – the experience that they had, but also the hope for others to have the same kind of experience,” said Michael Falder ’94, Taylor Fund director from 200709. “I can’t talk about meeting the goal without saying, ‘To God be the glory.’” More than 4,500 donors contributed to the Taylor Fund. 17

Ephesians 4:3-4 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit ... Matthew 3:11 â&#x20AC;Ś but after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Trojans coach Brittany (Huyser â&#x20AC;&#x2122;00) Smith encourages her team during a timeout.

Him

For

we play to win

or 38 years, members of Taylor’s volleyball program have run laps, endlessly repeated drills, sometimes considered quitting, demanded an accounting from one another, cried, laughed, and set, served and spiked their way to more than 1,000 wins while being named the winningest program in NAIA history. Which would be impressive in and of itself if wins were the program’s primary goal. Current and former coaches and players say the greatest benefits they received from being part of the nation’s premier NAIA volleyball program include a deeper, more profound faith, hundreds of warm memories and an understanding of what it takes to win. Dozens of current and former coaches and players gathered for a celebration of those feats during Taylor’s Heritage Weekend May 1 and 2. Along with reflections, laughs and a commendation from the State of Indiana, the theme that continually emerged was one of reliance on each other. “I think the best part was it was a combination of relationships and hard work,” remembered former coach Angie Fincannon, now dean of human performance and athletics. Fincannon’s Taylor teams won 496 games – nearly half of the program’s 1,008 wins. “It was built on

anchor points. It was hard work. It was completion. You were put in situations where a high level of work was demanded. Through that you learn to rely on each other. You pray for each other and are growing together. Every day I felt challenged as a coach to uphold that.” Corien (Verhagen ’74) Shafer was a sophomore during the program’s first year. It was an era during which fledgling women’s intercollegiate athletics were sometimes misunderstood and marginalized. During one match that groundbreaking year, Shafer and her teammates played on the stage of a gymnasium. But rather than complain, Shafer said she was grateful for the opportunity to compete. “Being on the team gave us a community in which to grow spiritually as well as socially,” she remembered. “Road trips in vans afforded us time to get to know one another. Whenever you are in close quarters with people for a length of time you are bound to go beyond the formalities. You hear about hurts, victories, challenges and hurdles. But those events brought you closer, volleyball being the catalyst. I loved being a part of a team, whether it was volleyball, lacrosse, or hockey. The joy was in the journey with a group of very special teammates.”

State Representative P. Eric Turner ’74 presents the citation honoring Taylor volleyball from the Indiana General Assembly to Brittany Smith, Eugene Habecker and Angie Fincannon.

“I just loved my time at Taylor. I loved the players. It was a very positive time in my life that I really look back on,” said Karen (Traut) Swanson, the Trojans’ coach for four years. “There was a common goal of volleyball and winning but it was much deeper than that. Not all teams work well together. I always tried to create a love for each other on the team so they would work well together. That meant caring for them on and off the court.” It was during Traut’s tenure the team’s signature motto, “For Him we play to win,” was born. “It evolved out of what we did,” said Traut, now the director of the Institute for Prison Ministries at Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Center. “Our theme verse was Colossians 3:23: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.’ My philosophy was ‘winning was a byproduct.’ You play hard and the wins will come. Playing volleyball was a way for them to express their love for the Lord and each other.” “We had so much fun together,” reflected Ruth (Warner ’79) Ozmun, who has the unique perspective of a player, team captain and coach. But she was also a competitor who earned induction into Taylor’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. “We were very feminine and yet very competitive in practice and games. There were certain players that especially helped us be open with each other. They would ask the hard questions and you felt like you could not be evasive with your answer. “Our frustrations were when we could not get it together on the floor,” she continued. “Something would be distracting one or more of us in another area of our lives and it would be reflected in our play. When we finally got it together it was so rewarding.” Brittany (Huyser ’00) Smith was also a team captain who eventually returned to coach the Trojans. As a member of the 1997 team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the national tournament and the 1998 team that posted a school record 48 match wins, Huyser said

the program’s success came from the combination of effort and the blessings of God. “The Lord is in control of our destiny, but there have been a lot of people who have done a lot of hard work through the program’s history,” she said. “When recruiting, we look for someone who is not afraid of what it takes to win. They are not afraid of losing or failure. They set aside their own dreams because it makes the team successful. Second, we are looking for athletes who have a high level of physical ability. Several of our athletes had NCAA Division I offers but wanted to come to Taylor. “The young women we recruit have to understand they are in need of a Savior, and that is Jesus Christ. It is not good works or anything else,” she added. “Some players might come in and they are a Christian, but they are not submitting to Christ in every area of their life. In some cases, a player may not yet be a Christian, but understands that Taylor is a place where their life can be changed. If they desire to pursue that change, we have been willing to work with those women and pray for them and let the Lord take care of the rest.” “Taylor is known for whole person education. I think that athletics achieves that focus perfectly,” Smith said. “I think every area of Taylor does a great job of that; but in competition, you are in a public forum where you will either be a winner or loser. You have that added pressure and your character is really tested in the way you play, compete and practice. I think that is a unique way that it enhances that process for a student athlete.” “Since decades ago the emphasis has been playing to win for Him,” she added. “It gives it a different perspective when everything you do – coaching, playing or practicing – you are mindful of our motto. It speaks of excellence, our priorities and for Whom we are playing.” For more information, visit www.taylor.edu/athletics/volleyball. 23

Whitney Cerak

he did not choose this for herself. For the past three years, Whitney Cerak ’09 has lived with interest she did not seek, coped with awkward stares and questions from strangers as well as friends, and put her life back together after suffering a brain injury that nearly ended her life. Cerak was the lone student survivor of the April, 2006, accident that claimed the lives of four fellow students and a dining services staff member. After awakening from a five-week-long coma, she found herself in the center of a maelstrom as an international audience clamored to learn more about the misidentification that forever linked her life to that of fellow student Laura Van Ryn ’06, one of the five who died that evening. But Cerak has done more than merely survive. After returning to school the following fall, she attended a number of physical and

occupational therapy sessions that aided her in the healing process. She eventually co-authored a book with her parents and the Van Ryns, appeared on national television programs and spoke in a number of public settings. Although Cerak took a reduced class load during the early portion of her recovery, she later caught up with summer courses and a heavier academic load in subsequent semesters so she could graduate on time with her class. It was not easy. And when asked if she’d had a “typical” college experience, her answer was emphatic. “Easy answer. No,” she declared. “My biggest struggle has been fitting in with everyone again and passing my classes. School has been very hard and I have struggled with that for the last three years. I am filled with so much happiness to know that the school struggle is over – well, for now anyway.” ➠

Whitney Cerak (left) and her sister Carly (right) pose with special friends from Kenya.

“Fitting in with everyone else has been tougher (than) in the past, because people treated me like I was ‘famous,’ or I didn’t get their humor when I first came back,” she added. “My faith has been challenged a lot in the last three years – like how I find joy in this trial in my life, like the Bible says. How I deal with, not just the huge accident, but also the small trials in my life: like being too busy, speaking in public, travel, and being in a different culture. The Lord is teaching me a lot of things right now. He is teaching me to listen. That has been a huge thing for me to learn.” What may not have been a “typical” college experience was still a great Taylor experience for Cerak, a psychology major from Gaylord, Mich. The Taylor community embraced her academically, socially and spiritually through classes, study groups, work in the Academic Enrichment Center, a semester in the Irish Studies Program, worship, hundreds of meals in the Dining Commons and bonding experiences with friends during many, many fun events. “(There was) going swimming in the Mississinewa River. It was disgusting,” she reminisced with a smile. “Going to a small café in Marion – it was open 24 hours. We go there to play Scrabble sometimes. A few of my friends dressed up and ran around campus at night; it was so funny. My friends had a scavenger hunt for me for my birthday. There was a pick-a-date to the speedway in Gas City. “I can’t explain my fun times to people who don’t go to Taylor,” Cerak mused. “They don’t understand what a lot of the Taylor students do … Taylor students have to be creative.”

Cerak, along with more than 450 classmates, graduated from Taylor May 23. In July, she will join her sister Carly ’07 in Mombasa, Kenya, where the two will work with Iris Ministries, an outreach to orphaned and homeless children. Cerak was drawn to the ministry through Carly’s work in Africa after her 2007 graduation from Taylor. “She came back and had such a passion that we both went the next summer. I was able to understand why she had that passion,” she said. “I’ve never had a heart for Africa – it was like everything I didn’t expect. It stole my heart.” With the goal that once seemed unreachable – graduation from Taylor – now behind her, Cerak said her friends and faculty members with whom she interacted made the greatest impact. “They have been like a support and encouragement to me. They support me in everything I speak in and am passionate about. They encourage me to keep going and expect the best of myself,” she said. “I’m glad I chose to come to Taylor. It has been a place of encouragement and support, but also a place where I can grow in my faith and be surrounded by other Christians. It has been foundational in my faith.” “Two-and-a-half years ago I didn’t think it would be possible at all,” Cerak said. “I’m very excited, but a little nervous too. But mainly, I’m excited to see what the Lord brings. Because I graduated from Taylor what else is going to happen? Because I came through this, almost anything can happen.”

giver

A cheerful

by Stephanie Leis ’09

rthur Hodson x ’36 was a farmer, engineer, banker and a philanthropist. He had many occupations during his life, but none was more important to him than his relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout his lifetime, Hodson sought to honor God with his life and funds. As a result, he made a direct impact on the lives of thousands of Taylor University students. That legacy continues today. In April, Taylor officials announced that Hodson’s estate gift to the University was $13.8 million – the largest of its kind in school history. Hodson grew up on a farm in Upland during the Great Depression before attending Taylor for two years. He originally wanted to be a doctor, but instead transferred to Purdue University to major in chemical engineering because he wanted to alleviate his family’s burden of paying for medical school.

His cheerful and sacrificial giving has served as an example to us and will make an impact on students for generations to come. Art Hodson (left) shares a laugh with friend and Upland industrialist Leland Boren during Hodsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th birthday celebration in 2002.

President Eugene B. Habecker reflects on Hodson’s life during a celebration luncheon in April.

Hodson married his first wife, Mary, and the couple moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Hodson worked at Union Carbide for 10 years. With his father’s health failing, they returned to Upland in 1946 to take over the family’s 400-acre family farm. “Mary and I prayed about it,” Hodson later said, “and we decided we could not say ‘no’ to Mom and Dad when they needed us.” In 1950, Hodson went to work at The Upland Bank, which later became STAR Financial Bank. For the next 27 years, he served that institution in various positions from teller to chairman of the board. It was there he first met Jay Kesler ’58, who was then a Taylor student seeking a loan to help pay for college. Hodson gave him the loan; and he helped him create a budget that paved the way for Kesler’s graduation. “Art was a very godly man, but he didn’t wear it on his sleeve,” said Kesler. “You would never doubt that he was being led by Christian principles.” Hodson also served as a member of Taylor’s Board of Trustees from 1959-63. The Hodson Dining Commons was named in honor of the Hodsons in 1978 in recognition of their support of Taylor. The Hodsons, who had no children of their own, enjoyed eating their Sunday lunch with Taylor students in the Dining Commons. Mary died in 1996 after 63 years of marriage. A few months later, Hodson was dealing with loneliness when he turned to Kesler, who by then had become Taylor’s president. That day, Kesler prayed with him, saying, “Lord, help Arthur to be patient, help him to be happier. We know how he feels – how lonely he is. We know how he misses his mother, how he misses Mary. If it’s your will, there must be the right woman. Make it the right woman.” Five days later, Hodson telephoned Kesler and said, “Jay, you can’t believe it. God has answered your prayer!” That answer to prayer was Nelle (Leisman ’43) Alspaugh, a widowed Taylor alumna and retired home economics teacher who had taught

at Taylor and the Jefferson Schools. After a brief courtship, the two were married and enjoyed a happy marriage until Nelle’s death in 2005. Hodson died July 14, 2007, at the age of 94. Hodson stipulated approximately $6 million for endowment of a faculty chair in the School of Business, scholarships, operation of the Dining Commons and the William Taylor Foundation. He said the remaining $7.8 million could be used for other University priorities, the majority of which is being allocated to the Science Learning Center project. In addition to Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan University, White’s Family and Residential Services (Wabash, Ind.), the Upland Friends Church and the Upland United Methodist Church were beneficiaries of Hodson’s generosity. A number of tributes for Hodson came during the Hodson Legacy Luncheon, held on Taylor’s campus in April, where speakers included Kesler, Dr. Eugene B. Habecker ’68 and Ross Hoffman, executor of the Hodson estate. “Everyone was afraid of the market but Art felt it was important to invest in the stock market,” said Hoffman, who praised Hodson’s entrepreneurial spirit and joyful giving. “I‘d loved to have talked about how he sold candy to pay his way through school. Or I’d loved to have told you about the soul searching that he had to do as he made the decision to give up his career and go home to work on the farm … I wouldn’t mind talking about the generosity that he had with so many charities during his lifetime. He didn’t just save his giving until the end of his life; he gave during his lifetime.” “When one thinks of the Biblical statement that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, Art Hodson comes to mind,” said Habecker. “Art was a wonderful friend of Taylor University, her students and faculty. His cheerful and sacrificial giving has served as an example to us and will make an impact on students for generations to come.”

Remedy.FM afternoon DJ Amanda Guldbeck (aka The Panda) during a May broadcast. 32

chasm Into the

uicide. Rape. Murder. Gang activity. Pornography. Relative notions of truth, good and evil. And a continual bombardment of explicit lyrics and themes. The issues faced by today’s youth make those encountered by their baby boomer parents – teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug use – look comparatively tame. It is into that chasm that Char Binkley and Clinton Faupel have plunged. Head first. Binkley, longtime general manager of the Taylor’s WBCL Radio Network, and Faupel, the former youth pastor at her church, are the driving force behind Taylor University’s internet outreach Remedy. FM. The Web station plays a positive mix of secular and Christian music. In addition to music, Remedy staff members and volunteers chat online and swap text messages with teen listeners. Sunday programming includes The Clinic, a program during which Faupel unpacks a devotional from a special Bible produced for Remedy, and Hurt, a program that allows listeners to share their problems and get advice and prayer support.

“The real need for Remedy.FM is because of the way the culture is influencing our kids,” said Binkley, who was first introduced to the explicit lyrics of today’s music by teenage family members. “When I became aware of music teens listen to, and when I could understand the lyrics, it really alarmed me. Because I had been in Christian radio all these years I felt like I’d had my head in the sand. Now I had a passion to bring something of influence into their world.” The concept of Remedy.FM was born during a conversation between Binkley and Faupel at their church. They wanted to create an alternative source of entertainment that could serve as a “remedy” for the raunchy content that youth consume through radio, television and on the Internet – where an estimated 60 percent of the content is pornographic in nature. ➠

I get a story every day. The remedy is still the same and that is Christ.

Clinton Faupel and Char Binkley first envisioned Remedy.FM as an alternative to the degrading content teens ingest. 34

Remedy.FM is an Internet outreach of Taylor University.

The $4-5 million price tag for an existing radio station left no choice but to broadcast on the Web, but that was a good thing. “Ninety-three percent of this generation of teens spends 12-15 hours on the Net each week,” Faupel related. “They live in a world their parents don’t know how to log into.” Binkley pointed to figures that suggest unless something is done, and done quickly, to reach this generation, they will be as the generations of Israelites in the Book of Judges who “did not know the Lord.” Citing The Bridger Generation by author Thomas S. Rainer, Binkley pointed out a startling trend. Starting with her generation, known as the Builders (born 1927-1945), 65 percent remained “Biblebased believers” after age 20. That number fell to 35 percent among Boomers (born 1946-1964) and further eroded to 16 percent for the Busters or Gen X (born 1965-1983). It is projected that for the current generation of Millennials (born in 1984 or later), that number will plummet to only four percent. “Although we have quoted those statistics and believers have raised their eyebrows in near disbelief, they don’t realize that over the next ten years they will see those statistics played out,” Binkley said. “By the time we internalize it, it will be too late. Right now is the time for us to live as Christ’s followers and rescue teens from today’s culture.” Since the launch of Remedy.FM in 2007, thousands of teens have logged on to listen to a playlist that runs the gamut from alternative to hip-hop and is radically different from what listeners to parent station WBCL have known. But Remedy’s target audience is not 40-and-50something evangelicals, but teens, many of whom are un-churched. The station staff consists of only four full-time employees whose efforts are augmented by part-time, intern and volunteer workers. Remedy has listeners from all 50 states and 94 countries. Although

its one-millionth hit was registered just a few months ago, Binkley said Remedy’s goal is not Billy Graham Crusade-style numbers, but individual hearts being changed one at a time. “We would be thrilled if thousands and millions came to Christ through the Internet and we think many will,” Binkley said. “I think of one young man who is here (in the office) every day. He is a high school student who lives with his dad, but his dad is emotionally absent. We are his family. For this generation, their friends are their family. Kids are looking for somebody they can identify with – someone who understands their pain and brokenness. We are trying to bring them to a community where they will find hope and acceptance.” “We had to drop the evangelical facade. We call ourselves ‘missionaries living our lives,’” said Faupel, known to thousands of teen listeners as “Fop.” He related the story of a teenage boy who had texted Remedy to talk about his struggle with depression. Then came the Sunday night when a darker, more ominous message came. “He told me he was dying,” Faupel said. “He was under the influence of something. I asked him to call authorities for help and didn’t get a response. Based on his screen name, we got his address and called 911.” The paramedics arrived in time to save his life. A few weeks later, the boy and his mother visited Faupel at Remedy. “We wept together. She was blessed that her son was alive but saddened that her son had these issues and had to figure out what to do. This was a youth group kid. We were able to help him,” Faupel said. “I get a story every day. The remedy is still the same and that is Christ.” To learn more and support the mission of Remedy.FM, visit www.remedy.fm. 35

vista

Grandparents Day, dedication ceremonies for Campbell Hall and Brad’s Bridge, Taylathon and a celebration of Taylor’s historic emphasis on intentional community were among the highlights of 2009 Heritage Weekend, held May 1 and 2. Planners liken the two-day event to a sort of spring Homecoming with reunions for residence halls and affinity groups playing prominent roles on the schedule. Also included in the weekend agenda was a celebration of Taylor’s volleyball program, which recorded its 1,000th win last season.

The Rediger Chapel/Auditorium hosted a panel discussion on community life at Taylor.

vista David Larson pays tribute to his late son Brad during the Bradâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridge dedication ceremony.

Still got it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Taylor alumni soccer players returned to the soccer field on May 2.

alumni notes

keeping connected with friends

1939

Margaret (Sluyter) Briggs recently gave a gift to Taylor in memory of her two chemistry lab partners, Dr. Wally Scea ’38 and Dr. Marshall Welch, both deceased. For 20 years Margaret traveled with Marshall and his wife Rodah on many memorable journeys. • Ruth (Imler) Vayhinger passed away March 18, 2009. She was surrounded by family and friends in her last days. Ruth was preceded in death by husband John who was a Methodist minister, counselor and teacher. Among her survivors are son Jack x’71 and Karen (Vayhinger x’74) Childs.

1944

Rev. Donald Yocum died March 10, 2009, in Lebanon, Ohio. Preceding him in death was his wife Dorothy (Feree

Get Involved! Just a few of the ways you can connect with alumni who live in your area or share similar interests are:

Chapters

• Grand Rapids • Chicago • Indianapolis • Columbus, Ohio • Seattle

Affinity Groups

• TU Health Professionals • Veterans Group • Legacy 64 • Parent Prayer Groups • TU Cycling

For additional information about these programs and other alumni activities contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 800-882-3456, ext. 5115, or alumni@taylor.edu. 38

’41). Donald was well-known for rural and mission work in the West Ohio Methodist Conference. His daughter Ruth ’71 is among the survivors.

1948

Lola (Kelley) Bell passed away on April 22, 2009. Husband Gordon Bell ’45 preceded her in death. Together they served pastorates in the Midwest and as missionaries to India for nearly 30 years.

1949

Bill Kimbrough received the 2008 Outstanding Older American Award from the Agency on Aging of Tarrant County (Texas). He also received the Golden Hammer Award from the Fort Worth Area Habitat for Humanity; he retired from volunteer work with that organization at the age of 80. Bill is also a retired Presbyterian minister and a retired naval reserve chaplain. • Martha (Busch) MacIver Parker died in her home Feb. 25, 2009. Marty’s first husband Leigh MacIver ’50 died in 1971; her second husband Bill passed away in 1986. Marty taught school for many years at Minot State College. Among her survivors are Mable (Busch ’45) Bontrager, Alice (Busch ’52) Hanson and John Busch x’57. • Vernon Petersen passed away on Oct. 10, 2008, in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was a minister with the Missionary Church for 63 years, pastoring throughout the Midwest. Survivors include wife Wilma (Steiner ’47), sons John TUFW ’74 and Philip ’76, daughter Barbara (Petersen TUFW x’80) Spencer and sister June (Petersen x’53) Newcomer.

1951

Charles McDonald died April 17, 2009. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He worked in construction for 10 years and was a journeyman pattern maker for 21 years. Charles was a 30-year member of the Fountain City (Ind.) Fire

Department, as well as youth director at the Nazarene church he attended for almost 20 years. Brother Gordon McDonald ’42 is among his survivors. • Robert Rohde died Feb. 27, 2009, at the V.A. Medical Center in Erie, Pa. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a chaplain’s assistant on the island of Guam. Robert was a high school teacher for 35 years. Surviving is his wife of 61 years May (Taylor ’42). • Rev. Judson ’51 and Opal (Buck ’50) Shoemaker died within hours of each other at a nursing home on May 15, 2009. Judson served as a pastor for most of his life; Opal was an elementary school teacher.

1953

Bill Hesse passed away Sept. 25, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was a pastor in the Missionary Church for 55 years in Ohio, Ind., and Mich. Surviving is wife Mary (Von Bergen ’54). • Rev. Frederick Kleinhen died April 13, 2009, in his home. He was a pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. One of the most enjoyable times of his life occurred when he and wife Gloria (Krebs ’52) served as missionaries in Vietnam. Gloria resides in Rootstown, Ohio.

1954

Mary (Von Delinde) Lake passed away on April 10, 2009, in her home. She was a teletype operator, a secretary for the U.S. government and a homemaker. Mary is survived by husband Curtis ’52.

1955

Margaret (Wickett) Vida died Feb. 28, 2009. She was a social worker and later worked as a staff assistant to Sen. Everett Dirksen while he was Senate Minority Leader. Her husband Lee was a physician and she worked in his office for several years while raising their children.

1962

Kathryn “Kitty” (Heavilin) Cutting died of cancer on Oct. 13, 2008, in her home. Kitty’s careers included being a homemaker, math and Bible teacher, Peace Corp volunteer and partner in a hardware store business. Among her survivors are husband David Cutting ’64 and daughter Jennifer (Cutting ’90) Tartaglia. • After retiring from a public school teaching and administrative career, Nelson Gould decided to pursue his passion for cycling. From March 20-April 30, 2009, he participated in a Wandering Wheels coast-to-coast ride that also served as a fundraiser for the Montrose HS (Ariz.) golf team. Gould, 70, finished the 2,600 ride in good form and wife Sarah (Owens x’63) was thankful for his safe return! • Schug Awards, owned by 01 Phil ’62 and Sharon Schug¸ won the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award for Greater Lafayette (Ind.). Their business has already won two national awards and one State of Indiana Business Excellence Award.

1963

Fred Sanderlin recently headlined a program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) for early 400 education students and local teachers. Fred presented readings from his recently published book, Journey to Little Rock. He also conducted a classroom management seminar for current student teachers. He credited two of his mentors and former Taylor professors, Dr. James Young and the late Dr. Hazel (Butz ’38) Carruth Anderson.

1964

Joan (Kaiser) New died April 2, 2009, in Marion, Ind. She was an elementary school teacher for many years. Survivors include her husband Bob and brother Tom Schlee ’63.

alumni notes 01

02 Members of the Class of 1964 gathered for lunch at Heritage Weekend. They are wearing green beanies commemorating freshmen days long ago and are busy planning for “Reconnect ’64,” their 45-year class reunion this fall. David and Marcy (Minks) Mays, David and Pat (Baird) Bowers, Wil and Gloria (Callaway) Regier, Lee and Deanna DeTurk, Elmer and Nancy (Estep) Vogelsang, Jim and Joan (McAlister x’65) Mathis, Steve ’65 and Phyllis (Dye) Bedi, Tim ’63 and Carolyn (Williamson) Burkholder, Stan and Janet (Richardson) Thompson, Ron and Bev (Petersen ’65) Scott, Dave ’63 and Marsha (Eklund) Geddes, Jack and Barb (Butman ’65) Van Vessem and Todd Hinkle.

1965

David Walker has written a movie script and a church play based on the

depositions taken by Luke. The Gospel of Luke is a collection of depositions taken from the original eyewitness including Mary, mother of Jesus. David and his wife Loraine live at 7218 Peacock Ln., Englewood, FL 34224. E-mail is davidw7218@juno.com.

1968

Legacy64 is a project initiated by members of

the Class of 1964 whose mission is “To present a God-honoring, 50-year legacy gift to Taylor University, which demonstrates support of Taylor’s commitment to instill wisdom and to build Christ-like character in students, reflecting ‘His immeasurable power at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20-21).”

Taylor friends recently gathered for a long weekend in Boca Raton, Fla. 03 From L-R are Cheryl (Helle) Jones, Priscilla (Ten Eyck) Wynkoop, Sue (Peterson) Adams and Joanne (Johnson) Engeseth.

1972

04 Doug Smith retired in 2008 after 35 years of service as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. He said he was blessed and humbled to fulfill his dreams of working in a professional job that paid well and allowed him to support himself and his three children, and that he is eternally grateful to Taylor for the professors, staff, educational opportunities and the fact that Taylor

Building up to their 50-year class reunion in 2014, the Class of 1964 is focused on increasing meaningful conversations and communication with class members, strengthening attendance at their upcoming reunions (both the 45-year and 50-year) as well as working toward a significant financial gift to their alma mater in 2014. Ron Scott is among the leadership members of this project and can be reached at ronbevscott@aol.com. 39

alumni notes 01

is a truly an academic institution that is God-centered.

for over three decades. He also mentored 15 Christian dentists in the former western Soviet Union states, lectured to hundreds of dentists in Moscow and St. Petersburg and significantly improved many other clinics.

1973

In April, Tom Schreck was inducted into the Wynford (Ohio) Athletic Hall of Fame. Tom was head baseball coach for 34 years at Wynford and amassed a record of 404-191. He was inducted into the Ohio State High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Jan. 2009.

1974

01 Moorman Scott has been named division president of The Euclid Chemical Co. (Ohio). Scott has held various marketing and engineering positions with the company and most recently served as executive vice president.

1976

Jim Snellink has moved from Indianapolis to Belmont, Mich., where he continues to minister for Youth for Christ. Currently, he serves as a missionary recruitment rep for YFC for various staff positions on Christian college campuses of Ind., Mich., Ill. and Ohio. E-mail is jsnellink@cifyc.org.

1980

02 Dr. Neal Smith received a Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy of Freedom Award at a convocation held on Jan. 19, 2009, at the Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs, Mich. Neal was honored for being a medical missionary who established seven self-sustaining dental clinics and personally provided free dental care for thousands of individuals overseas 40

1981

Rev. Heiko and Kay Burklin have served with World Witness, the mission division of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church, for 11 years in the eastern section of Berlin, Germany. He has also been involved with missions work in Mexico, Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic. Heiko was installed as the senior pastor of the Neeley’s Creek ARP Church in Rock Hill, S.C. in April 2009. • 03 At a recent TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) leadership consultation in Thailand, the following TU alumni were together: Julie (Frederiksen x’85) Heinsman, Ron Heinsman x’84, Beth Wyse ’76, Kathi Small ’81, Gary Bowman ’65, Tim Johnson, Paul Cochrane ’67 and Kurt zurBurg ’95.

1982

Scott Welch graduated from Argosy University with a master’s in mental health counseling. Scott lives in Tampa, Fla., with his wife Lori. He is the founding and senior pastor of Freshstart Church.

1986

Cynthia Wright graduated with an MBA in 2006 from American InterContinental University. She is currently serving a year for

AmeriCorp VISTA working with Catholic Charities in Indianapolis to increase funding sources for the organization.

1987

David and Christine (Sampley) Kubal founded a new ministry called Men of Destiny. This ministry helps men discover God’s purpose, map out their direction and encourage them. Conferences, small groups and accompanying workbooks and materials are the avenues of ministry. They live in Overland Park, Kans.

1990

Dan Foor has been named head football coach of the Shamokin Area School District (Penn). • 04 Maria (Koelsch) Judd received a $5,000 grant to spend one month training English teachers in Aceh, Indonesia, and teaching in a local school there. Rebuilding is still taking place after the devastation of the 2004 tsunami, and Maria hopes to return and continue the teacher training she started.

1992

05 Jeff and Paige Bennett are the proud parents of Makena Paige born December 3, 2008. Grandparents are Taylor’s Associate Provost and Dean of International Programs Chris and Linda Bennett. • Matt Klein is now the executive director of the Department of Waterworks for the City of Indianapolis. As part of his duties, he will oversee the city’s contract with Veolia Water.

1993

Marty Beasley was named the 2009 Indiana Basketball Coaches Association’s District 1 Coach of the Year. He just completed his tenth year as a varsity head coach. His most recent assignment was at Carroll HS where his team won back-to-back conference championships.

1994

David Chamberlin was promoted to SVP and Director of Issues and Crisis Management for North America at MSL Worldwide. He is now based in the company’s New York City

alumni notes 05

headquarters. The family has recently relocated to 45 Greenwood Rd., New Providence, N.J. 07974.

1995

David Parker is the assistant principal of Whitko HS (Ind.). Previously, he was head basketball coach and taught web design.

1996

06 Lee and Sarah (Oyer) Hall joyfully announce the birth of Elaine Jenneth on Aug. 30, 2008. Proud grandparents are Russ ’60 and Nancy (Liechty ’61) Oyer. E-mail is sjo1972@hotmail.com. • 07 Matthew and Alexandra (Patterson) Lutz are the proud parents of AnnaGrace Elisabeth born March 30, 2008. Brother Jacob is 12. Matthew teaches art at Rio Rancho HS and earned an MFA from the University of New Mexico in 2005. Alex has taken a leave of absence from Rio Rancho HS and is working from home writing curriculum and teaching classes online. • Several Taylor alumni are employed by Faith Academy in the

Philippines. From L to R are Veronica (Loss ’00) Coombs with children Lydia and Adam. She and husband Jonathan Coombs ’96 are doing Bible translation; Nate Becker ’02 is music director at Faith; 08 Heather (Finstad) Sawdon, with Sierra, is a computer/art teacher at Faith; Joy Manda x’80 teaches fourth grade at Faith; Rachel (Oliver ’05) Stevenson is a librarian at Faith; and Kurt Symanzik ’87 works in computer services for SIL. • 09 Jana Weir and John Murphy were married Dec. 30, 2007, in Richmond, Va. TU participants were Janell (Alt x’97) Shaffer, Melodie (Ringenberg) Smith, Paula (Hartzler) Mustin, Becky (Delzer) Peterson, Traci (Tiberi) Falder, Beth (Gortner) Adkison and David Weir ’01. Jana is the chief of staff of the Federal Aviation Administration and John is a lobbyist. The couple resides in Alexandria, Va.

1997

Jonathan and Cari (Stouder ’99) Coords are the proud parents of three daughters: Sadie (7), Laine (5) and

the

Alumni Directory Directory Alumni The

Purchase your copy of the 2009 Taylor University Alumni Directory for $44.95. Contact Sharon Campbell in the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations at 765.998.5115 or order online at www.taylor.edu/order_alumnidir.

20 09

Homecoming october

16.17.18

Our Father’s World

5 Year Reunion �� Class of 2004

35 Year Reunion �� Class of 1974

10 Year Reunion �� Class of 1999

40 Year Reunion �� Class of 1969

15 year Reunion �� Class of 1994

45 Year Reunion �� Class of 1964

20 Year Reunion �� Class of 1989

50 Year Reunion �� Class of 1959

25 Year Reunion �� Class of 1984

55 Year Reunion �� Class of 1954

30 Year Reunion �� Class of 1979

60 Year Reunion �� Class of 1949

See the enclosed 2009 Homecoming brochure for information on athletic events, chapel, concerts, and activities.

alumni notes Anslee (18 months). The family lives in Hillsborough, N.J. • 01 David and Christina (Saylor) Smith are the thankful parents of Judah Daniel born Dec. 11, 2008. Brother Jonah is 2. The family resides in Muncie, Ind., where David and Christina are both therapists at Still Waters Professional Counseling. • Heidi (VanderHorst) Whitaker was inducted into the 2008-09 Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) at the Medical School for International Health (MSIH). The GHHS recognizes exceptional medical students who have “demonstrated excellence in clinical 01

care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.” The MSIH is a collaborative initiative between BenGurion University of the Negev and Columbia University Medical Center to advance global health medical education. Before going to the MSIH, Heidi was a volunteer in Honduras and India. She worked with her husband in Indianapolis where they developed outreach programs for youth. While at MSIH, she served as the student coordinator for the Pediatrics in the Developing World seminar. She has also tutored Bedouin children and founded

a group called Families in Medicine. • Galen Zimmerman has been named athletic coordinator and head football coach at Liberty HS (Texas). He and wife Laura (Mailand) live in Prosper, Texas.

1998

02 Michael and Heather (Pickerell ’99) Delp live in Plymouth, Ind., with children Taylor (4) and Trey (3). E-mail is heatherdelp_2@yahoo.com. • 03 Jodi Oppenhuizen has been serving as a Christian worker in the

Czech Republic since 1999. She lives and works in Prague and is involved in Christian publishing, Englishteaching outreach, discipleship and music ministry. In 2008, WORD TO ALL INTERNATIONAL was formed out of Jodi’s vision to reach post-communist Eastern Europe for Christ. WORLD TO ALL partners with Christian organizations in North American and Europe to produce and promote quality, culturally-relevant Christian literature and resources for outreach and equipping churches. 03

Professor emeritus

Bill Fry 1932-2009 Professor Emeritus William (Bill) Fry died May 6, in Fleming Island, Fla., following a long illness. From 1978-98, Fry served as a member of Taylor’s English department faculty, filling roles from chair of the English department, Taylor’s Singapore and London Programs, the Division of Languages to Elderhostel instructor. He taught a number of courses that included World Masterpieces, Renaissance Authors, Western Drama, Contemporary Poetry and Modern Literature. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lura, and four daughters: Becky Arters (Doug), Debbie (Fry ’80) Jackson (Mark), Cindy Wilkerson (Keith), and Kate (’86) Hewitt (Steve ’85). Additionally, Fry is survived by 11 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. “The Taylor University faculty, staff and family deeply mourn the loss of our dear colleague, Dr. William Fry, who faithfully served with distinction from as an esteemed scholar, teacher and encouraging leader and friend,” said Dr. Stephen Bedi, Taylor provost. “We grieve, but not as those without hope. May the peace, comfort and grace of our Lord be sufficient for Lura and the Fry family members.”

alumni notes 01

1999

Chris and Lauri (DiDonato) Palmer are the proud parents of Madison Grace born March 26, 2009. E-mail is palmer4707@gmail.com. • Jocelyn (Falck) Green authored Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody Publishers 2008). Jocelyn and husband Rob, a former Coast Guard officer, live in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with Elsa (3) and Ethan (9 months old). Jocelyn is a freelance writer, editor and author. E-mail is Jocelyn@jocelyngreen.com.

Have info for

Alumni Notes? 44

2000

01 Jayson and Tarrah Palm have moved to India to work with Freedom Firm. They ask for prayer in this transition for their children, Anibel (7), James (4), Sydney (3) and Jovie (almost 1). They also ask for prayer to find a solid Christian community quickly. E-mail is jaysonpalm@gmail.com.

2001

Darren Hess is the HR coordinator for Certified Angus Beef LLC in

Wooster, Ohio. E-mail is dhess@ certifiedangusbeef.com. • 02 Justin and Chris (Skorburg) Michels are glad to announce the birth of Hayley Sue on Aug. 26, 2008. Brother Parker is 2. Justin works at State Farm Insurance as a business analyst and Chris is a part-time licensed clinical social worker. She provides in-home counseling for children under three years of age. • 03 Chris and Robin (Miller) Seah are the proud parents of Elijah Christopher Zhi Sheng born Sept. 7, 2008. Chris was ordained in the Presbyterian Church of America

Taylor welcomes all submissions to the Alumni Notes. Due to space limitations, not all news items or photographs may be published. Every effort will be made to print as many timely news items and photographs as possible. Taylor University reserves the right to edit submissions for space and content. You can send updates via e-mail to alumni@taylor.edu, or by regular mail at 236 W. Reade Avenue, Upland, IN 46989. Please include clearly labeled pictures (which will only be published if alumni are in the photo). Prints will be returned if requested. Images should be at least 4” x 6” or a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. You may also submit information to Marty Songer at 800-882-3456, ext. 5212. Thanks for keeping in touch with your alma mater!

and is pastor of Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church in Singapore where they currently live. • 04 Heidi Stevens married Kris Brevik on March 29, 2008, in Upland, Ind. They live in Minnesota where Heidi works as a dental hygienist, and Kris is a fraud analyst with Wells Fargo.

2002

Karen (McCabe) Brummond was awarded a $2,000 Light Work Grant in photography. This program is a part of Light Work’s ongoing effort to support and encourage artists working in photography. Karen earned a MFA from the University of East London in the UK and is a visiting lecturer at Cornell University and a professor of studio art at the University of Rochester. She and husband Peter ’99 live in Ithaca, N.Y. • 05 Catherine (Stanley) Shumate is a licensed mental health counselor and Christian counselor at Union Chapel Ministries in Muncie, Ind.

2003

06 Joshua Chapman and Jessica

The day after they graduated from Taylor University, Kyle Holloway ’09 and Alex Esclamado ’09 climbed on their motorcycles and left for an estimated 13,000 mile, two-and-a-half month odyssey that would take them through many of the United States’ largest cities and grandest national parks. According to Holloway, the trip, appropriately named Empty and Fill, has a deep spiritual component. “As we empty and fill our gas tanks along the way, we are also going to empty ourselves and make sure we are releasing our plans and expectations to God and asking Him to fill us up,” he said. “There are different people we respect – we want to see needs of their community and see how God is working through the church in their areas.”

PARENTS ANDFAM ILYWEEK END

Riding red and yellow Honda 750 Magna motorcycles, Holloway and Esclamado took only that which they could secure to the backs of their bikes. From Upland, the pair rode – first to Detroit and then on to Washington, DC, with stops in Toronto, Boston and New York City. From there they took a meandering route from Durham, NC, and Greenville, SC, to Memphis, Little Rock and Waco. Most recently, they trekked through the Rocky Mountains with stops in Colorado Springs and Denver before turning toward Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. On the way back, they planned eastward passage through Bozeman, Milwaukee and Chicago, with an expected return to Upland in early August. The two also planned stops in a number of national parks including Glacier, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. “At the very least, I’m going to come out of this with an appreciation of God’s creation in the United States,” stated Esclamado. “(It’s) an opportunity to go and see our country – to reflect where we are coming from as we move onto the next stage of our life.”

october

2–4

For more information, visit: http://www.emptyandfill.com/. 45

alumni notes

www.taylor.edu/admissions

relentless discovery

46 46

alumni notes 01

Stegelmeyer were married Sept. 1, 2007, in Wheaton, Ill. Joshua is a software development manager at United Business Media Studios, and Jessica is a special agent-U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General. They live in Brookfield, Ill. • Elizabeth (Paul) Heil is the sales manager for Reachmore, an organization that offers a range of services to assist business owners and corporations. She is now leading the new Noblesville Too advisory board, a group initiated to serve Rainmakers, central Indiana’s fastest-growing business association. • Kevin and 01 Danielle (Williams) Walker are the proud parents of Noah Christopher born Sept. 30, 2008. Brother Ben is 2. • 02 LTJG William Winner married Laurabelle Bruner on May 2, 2009. They live in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Jen Meekma married Dan Yerks on August 16, 2008. Carrie Jo (Dowd ’04) Freed was a bridesmaid in the wedding. The couple resides in Tinley Park, Ill. Jen currently teaches seventh grade science and Dan is a civil engineer. E-mail is jenyerks@ gmail.com. • Joe and Whitney (Vander Wilt ’05) Wallace have moved to Yangon, Myanmar. Joe is a finance manager for an international relief and development agency, and Whitney works with victims of sextrafficking. E-mail addresses are joe. wallace@gmail.com and Whitney. VanderWilt@gmail.com. • 05 Friends Emily Wilson and David “Frenchy” Mercier ’05 met on the slopes in Dubai before heading to Qatar where Emily lives, and David spent time promoting his ministry to orphans with The Boaz Project.

2004

2005

03 Steve and Lauren (Smith) DeVries joyfully announce the birth of Morgan Elizabeth on Nov.18, 2008. Proud grandparents are Lonnie ’79 and Debbie (Palacino ’78) Smith; and aunt Alyssa Smith ’07. • 04

06 Lana Gottschalk married Kyle Wilson on Sept. 27, 2008. TU participants included Franz ’98 and Emily (Gottschalk ’99) Forman. Lana is a reference librarian at Taylor, and Kyle is a private investigator in

Indianapolis. • 07 Emily Paul and Dennis Wheeler ’03 were married Jan. 3, 2009. Emily has an MSW from Loyola University. The couple lives in Chicago, Ill.

2006

08 Rachel Bubar and Joe Jones were married Dec. 15, 2007, in St. Joseph, Mich. TU participants were Elizabeth Burgess, Kendal (Emery) Wolgemuth, Dan Bubar ’01 and Jeff Brooke ’06. The couple lives in Wheaton, Ill., where Joe is a youth pastor and completing a master’s degree at Wheaton College. Rachel works in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Benedictine University. • 09 Rashel Cary married Andrew Harris on Dec. 6, 2007, in Dallas, Texas. Rashel works for Texas Health Presbyterian in IT, and Andrew works for Phoenix Property Co. E-mail is rashelharris@ gmail.com. • 10 1st Lt. Thomas and Fatima Jackson joyfully welcome Hollis Thomas born Dec. 15, 2008. She arrived about two weeks after Thomas returned from deployment in Iraq, and her sisters are Briseis (4) and Ida (2).

2008

Sarah Dreyer married Jared Sutter on Aug. 9, 2008. They live in Morton, Ill. • 11 Christie Frey and Kevin Whiteman were married Oct. 24, 2008. The couple lives in Marion, Ind. 47

from the president

Together, imagine the potential C

ommencement is a wonderful time for celebration and reflection. Celebration is in order because of the scope of the achievement of each of our graduates. It takes sacrifice, effort and a vision of the future to day after day keep one’s assignments up-to-date and to commit to the sacrifices that make it possible to cross that platform and receive a diploma. And this is a time for reflection and thanksgiving for the incredible experiences of the past four years that have knit our souls together. While each of our graduating classes is meaningful to us, Marylou and I share a special bond with the Class of 2009, in that we arrived at Taylor with them in 2005. Together, we experienced the excitement of arriving in new settings. Highlights of the past four years include being named the number one baccalaureate University in the Midwest by U.S.News and the completion of two important campus buildings. And together, we experienced some of the hardest times that Marylou and I have ever known with the deaths of five beloved members of our community, the fire on our Fort Wayne campus, and the difficult decision to conclude the traditional undergraduate program at TUFW after 17 years. These shared accomplishments, joys and sorrows are part of being a family. Each of you know that well since you, as parents, alumni, friends, faculty and staff members, have played synergistic roles in helping each of the young men and women cross that platform in May. Perhaps you have more often heard the word “synergy” used in a business context. It is what happens when every part of that organization works in concert with one another to achieve a goal that is greater than what any one member could accomplish on his or her own. In the same way that every member of the Taylor community works together to ensure a student’s successful completion of his or

Dr. Eugene B. Habecker ’68 serves as president of Taylor University. 48

her Taylor experience, imagine for a moment what God could do in our lives and at Taylor University in the future. I believe that each of our alumni knows prospective students who could benefit from a Taylor University education. Some of our alumni, for example, are pastors or youth leaders and are part of large networks that influence the daily lives of many young people. In fact, an increasing number of students are telling us that they heard about Taylor from their pastor or youth leader. That is wonderful and we thank you! Since Taylor is an interdenominational University, we do not have a specific denomination that serves as an organic network that sends high school students to us. But I believe we can establish its functional equivalent. Organizationally, one of my dreams is that one day we would have a Church Advisory Council whose members are selected from those churches that consistently send us students year after year. In the area of fundraising, it is always exciting when our alumni choose to financially support Taylor and/or introduce us to people gifted to share the Taylor vision of reaching the world with the redemptive love of and truth Jesus Christ. Perhaps you know someone like that who, even during these days of economic uncertainty, could partner with us to advance the kingdom of God. As I have said before, I believe the resources we need to achieve the master plan and Vision 2016 already exist in the Taylor family broadly defined – from our alumni and friends to past and current parents. I am grateful for the growing support of all kinds that these friends increasingly share with us. We continue to be filled with gratitude for all the blessings God has given us during our first four years together, and we eagerly anticipate the things that only He can do in the coming years that are beyond all we can ask or imagine.

Brought Together by the Taylor Fund

The diploma, towel, and Bible I received at graduation are small symbols of the way Taylor has stretched me academically and nurtured me spiritually. Four years ago I never could have imagined that I would spiritually lead guys on my floor, develop engineering skills by assisting architects on designs for the new Science Learning Center, serve in Guatemala by operating well drilling equipment, or benefit Taylor by performing a sustainability assessment of the campus. Thank you for joining me in creating similar opportunities for future Taylor students through your gift to the Taylor Fund. Kevin Crosby ’09, MES ’10

Your gifts to the Taylor Fund help provide critical support for student programs, academics and financial aid. Many students would not have been able to share the Taylor experience without the nearly $2 million in gifts from alumni and friends. We are grateful for these generous individuals who help set a new giving record (June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009) in this challenging and uncertain economy. For more information, call 800-882-3456, ext. 4886, or visit www.taylor.edu/giving.

www.taylor.edu

MVPs – Members of Taylor’s junior cycling team throw talcum powder skyward during 2009 Taylathon. For a photo recap of Heritage Weekend see page 36.